Greater New Orleans

Vintage pins bloom with history

THE PIECE(S): Three vintage boutonniere lapel pins or posey holders, about 2 ½ inches long, probably gold-plated and made before 1900.

Brenda Shiflett of Covington got these posey holders, made before 1900, from her mother. THE OWNER: Brenda Shiflett of Covington says that these three lapel pins have been in her family for many years, but she doesn't know exactly how old they are or whether they have any value. She remembers that her mother, a school teacher, often wore them with flowers inserted on the lapel of her coat or dress. Shiftlett's mother gave them to her, and over the years, Shiflett also wore them on occasion, especially in the spring. She had forgotten about the pins until recently, she said, and upon re-discovering them became curious about their history and possible value.

TUSSIE MUSSIES: These curious-looking pins are known by many names: lapel vase, boutonniere holder, posey holder and tussie mussie. Tussie mussie (also sometimes spelled "tuzzy muzzy" or "tussy mussy") originally referred to a small bouquet of flowers arranged in a slim vase that could be pinned to a dress bodice or held, often being wrapped around the wrist by a chain that had either a ball or finger ring at the end to secure it. The term was later adopted to also describe the holder in which the flowers were inserted. Tussie mussies from the Victorian era have become increasingly collectible, and while relatively few are available in the United States, English antique shops sometimes offer large selections.

A FLOWER A DAY: Although the practice of wearing or carrying flowers began centuries ago, it was not a fashion trend in the United States until the Victorian era (1845-1900). Before that, boutonnieres and corsages were considered de riguer on formal occasions to act as a perfume for their wearers, but it became an everyday statement of good taste and stylishness among American businessmen in the mid-19th century. Boutonniere holders or lapel vases also became popular and were produced in a variety of shapes and sizes ranging from simple, utilitarian styles like Shiflett's, to elaborately designed pieces adorned with precious metals and gems. The smaller holders, which were usually no more than 1 ½ to 3 inches long, could be filled with a few drops of water to keep the boutonniere fresh and then passed through the buttonhole on the lapel of a man's suit jacket, where it would be invisible, or placed on top of the lapel where the holder could be seen. Ladies also wore lapel vases, but theirs tended to be larger, more ornately designed pieces (up to 7 inches long), which could accommodate one or more flowers in a corsage. Although the practice of wearing a boutonniere on a daily basis died out sometime after the turn of the century, inexpensive, modern versions of lapel vases are still available through wedding and tuxedo suppliers and are commonly used for special occasions.

WHAT IT'S WORTH: Antique and vintage lapel-pin vases can be difficult to find; only a handful of online antiques sites had even one in their inventories. One online vendor listed a 2-inch, horn-shaped, ivory posey holder pin, dated 1880, for $105. Considering the simple style of Shiflett's pins, each would probably be priced around $30. The price for the three, however, might be more, as sets of any collectible item are often valued slightly higher.